New drug has the potential to repair damage of a stroke

There’s potential for a new drug to assist in reducing the number of brain cells destroyed after a stroke, while also repairing the damage of the condition. As one of the biggest killers and a leading cause of disability in Australia, the possible new treatment for stroke is a giant leap in overcoming preventable deaths.

Conducted by the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, the study on rodents found a drug that can both limit the death of the existing brain cells and helps create new brains cells.

“This finding provides further support for the development of this anti-inflammatory drug, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, as a new treatment for stroke,” a statement by the university says.

The drug is said to already be licensed for use on conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, and while a number of early stage clinical trials have been carried out by the research team in relation to stroke it is not yet licensed for treating the condition in humans.

Published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, the study also demonstrated rodents have increased the numbers of neurons after the stroke when treated with the anti-inflammatory drug. The new cells are though to help the brain repair itself long-term after a stroke.

Have you or has someone you know had a stroke? Were they able to make a recovery? Share your stories with us.